LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8023, 9 January 1906, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

"Transients in Arcadia is the title of a short story on the fourth puge. On Monday nighl the New Plymouth Borough Council filed Thursday after-, noon as the statutory half-holiday. A slight shock of earthquake was felt in New Plymouth at about 1.15 yesterday afternoon. The last, pile iif the eastern extension mole at Timnru has been driven, but the rock-filling will not bo; ■completed until September next. The mole staging has been carried out a distance of 3000 ft. A linn in Napier has been advised that the bone-crushers at Calcutta a:e unable to run their machinery in accordance with the New Zealand Government's sterilising conditions, and are refusing all orders for New Zealand bone moal. Recently John Dillon, 45 years of age, was found dead in his bedroom at a Broken' Hill boiirdinghouse. He had been drinking to excess, and in his room -were*, found six empty bottles, four of which has contained spirits, the contents of which he had consumed in one day, It appears from-the " Greymontk Star" that during the last- few weeks a considerable number of immigrants have arrived in that district from Lancashire—"King Dick's" country. Many have already settled down at the State coal mines, whilst others have gone to other places in the district. The Oeo Hotel was destroyed by (ire early on Sunday morning, the inmates barely escaping with their lives. The hotel, which was owned by Mr G. Watkius, of Epsom, Auckland, and occupied by Mr Alfred Martin, was insured for £3lO, the stock and furniture being covered by a policy for £215. Tho Taranaki County Council has an accumulation ol some hundreds of unused dog collars, bearing labels dating back for many years. In a sudden tit of economical inspiration on Monday, the Cotinty decided to call for tenders in connection with this year's dog tax, for the affixing of 1906 labels'to these old collars.

Evidently tho Government expect to have their Egmout metal crushing plant at work'shortly. The Railway Department is now circularising Local Bodies asking for information regarding quantities of metal required, and the months of. the year during which the supplies will likely be required. As there is certain to be prompt response from all over the Province, it will probably be a case of first come first served.

Commenting on the suggestion that a ballot be taken of Liberal members in tho House for a reconstruction of the Ministry, the Wairarapa " Daily Times " says one might as well propose that a ballot be taken by the pupils at one of the city schools in order to reconstruct its teaching staff. The headmaster would, of course, fall in with such an admirable proposition, and Mr Seddon might be depended upon to act in a similar spirit. The Liberal Parly, no doubt, yearns for reconstruction, but is it not a little afraid of the cane!'

The Mayor, Mr R, Cock, has recently received anonymous correspondence inquiring as to the whereabouts of the balance of the Troopers' Memorial Funds. The Town Clerk, Mr Bellringer, informed the Council on Monday that the balance of the Fund was lying in the Post Office Savings Bank in fhe joint names of the late Mayor (Mr E. Dockrill) and himself. 11 is understood that there is also, a balance, still unexpended, lying to the credit of the Patriotic Fund. Here is the opportunity for sonic impecunious local organisation.

During the past- fortnight no less than 2(5 bottle-nosed whales have be< n washed ashore in the vicinity of Shag Point, Mr McKcnzie, of Biishy Park, informs us that there are 22 piled up on the beach in a small bay. about a mile south of the estuary of the Shag. Two were washed ashore at Shag Point, and two others are lying on the Moe.'aki beach. The whales yary from 18ft to 25ft in length, but whether or not they are of any value we have been unable to ascertain. Wo are informed, however, that two residents of Shag Point arc " trying-out" one of the cetaceans . Palmerston South " Times."

A jar of butler, which is at least six or seven hundred years old, has lately been deposited in the Belfast Public Library, having been discovered in a bog. Being sealed, it had remained perfectly fresh, though as soon as the air was allowed to reach it, it became rancid. Though of more recent origin than an Egyptian mummy, this is at least a respectable age for fresh butter (says au English newspaper). Perhaps someone will now discover some new laid eggs that haTC been hidden somewhere for a few centuries as a further addition to the more or loss antedilu. vian breakfast table

An amusing incident occurred yesterday morning in a local smoking room. The proprietor, while chatting with some friends, challenged one of the party, a stranger, to a game of chess. All adjourned to the chess room on the premises, and by the twitching around the comers of tho mouths of the visitors, a good joke was foreseen. Considerable interest was taken by sundry customers also, who stayed for the finish, Tho result of the gaine was no great surprise to tliosc who viewed it. for the strange antagonist was none other than Mr Barnes, the chess champion from Auckland, The funny part of the story is that up to the time of our going to press, the proprietor of the smoking room is unaware of his opponent's identity. A small boy who gave his. age as going on for eight was the object of in. terest at the liangiora station recently, after the arrival of (he (Irst train from Christchiirch. He was bootless, very much unwashed, in anything but holiday attire, and evidently astray. Questioned by the Sergeant of Police, hr brightly said he hoarded the train at Belfast, and was on his way to London. His father worked ,in the factory, and his mother told him he was to go to London, and so he went lo the station and got on the train. The sergeant, says the " Lytt-eltoii Times," placed him on a return train in charge of the guard, happy with chocolates and coppers, given him by some of those who heard bis story.

One of the strangest companies ever formed is now being floated in Arizona. Its object is to unearth what the promoter* allege is a buried-meteor, containing precious metals worth i'2,soti,DDll. The meteor fell on the earth at Holbrooke. It was so enormous, and alighted witli such force, that it scooped a ravine three-i[iiarters of a mile long and (SOD feel wide out of the earth before burying itself in a field. Fragments of the meteor were sent to assizers, who deelcre that they found in them traces of gold, silver, and lead. The promoters want to dig up the meteor and smell it. Their estimate of its value is purely mathematical,based' on the i|uantities of the metal found in the fragments, and the relation of those fragments to the computed' size of the meteor. The company is being promoted in the ordinary way, and the prospectus is drawn up just like that of a mining company.

Tt appears that Admiral Togo's Hagship, the Mikasa, was pre-ordained u> suffer misfortune. A Japanese naral ollieer, who attended the christening of the ship at Barrow-in-Furness, tells the " Militairo Korresponccnz " that at the moment of launching a number of while pigeons, in accordance with the pretty Japanese custom, were to be liberated from a cage. Wkon Viscountess Hayashi had pressed the but ton releasing the new ship the cage was opened, bid the birds refused to move for fully thirty seconds. This in itself was, to the mind uf llie Japanese spectators, a sufficiently unlucky omen, but when the pigeons dually flew ou. backwards instead of with the front of the vessel, every Japaneso present was struck with a chill terror, and no one doubted that the Mikasa was a doomed ship.

i'he total electors of Great Britain number 7,200,708. The Kapiti, stranded at Paten, lias been re-floated, undamaged. Japan's foieign trade for the past year was a million yen. The farmers of South Taranaki, it is said, are contemplating establishing salcyards of their own. The Taranaki Fanners' Mutual Fire Insurance Association have now issued policies covering risks amounting to £33,1)00. The first law degree is believed to have been conferred bv the University of Paris in lit!). Mr Hues, manager of (he Brush Company, contractors lor the New Plyinuulh electric lighting installation, is to visit New Plymouth on Thursday, and the Borough Council has decided to telegraph to its consulting engineer, Mr Mcstayer, to be in New Plymouth at the same time, when a conference will be arranged. The Whaugamomona branch of the Liberal and Labour Federation of New Zealand intends to tender a complimentary banquet to Mr W. Symes, M.H.R., in February. The Premier and' the Minister for Public Works will be.invited to be piesent. The New Plymouth Borough Council will ' profit' this year to the extent of £6O, representing 10 per cent, additional on £OOO on overdue rates. Immediate steps are to be taken to compel the payment of all outstanding rates, which ropresent, with £132 in hand, practically all the money available for the carrying out of ordinary works up to 31st March next. Mr Newton King advertises a splendid farm of 200 acreß to be sold at his Rahotu yards on Thursday next on account of Mr G. H. Strieff. The farm is recognised as one of the best in the Rahotu district, being exceptionally well grassed, and carrying an enormous amount of feed. It is up for absolute sale, as Mr Strieff is leaving the district. Particulars arc advertised in another column.

It is unlikely that any new works will bo undertaken by the New Plymouth Borough Council for some little time. The. Mayor stated at the Council meeting on Monday that although the loan account was at present in credit nearly £7OOO, about .-fcllOOO has to go for the water works, and. the completion of the electric lighting will absorb a considerable .sum. Under the circumstances and until the exact position is known, there is not likely to be any considerable extension of the drainage works. At the meeting of the Tarauaki County Council on Monday, the question of County Engineer, which has formed a bone of contention for some time, was again revived by consideration of notice of motion by Cr Hill; "That applications be called for the position of Engineer to do work when required by the Council." The motion was carried after considerable discus. sion on the casting vote of the chairman. Messrs Steele, W. Outfield and E. Griffiths, members of the Henui Road Board, waited on the Taranaki County Council on Monday with a request that the Council should subsidise the Board for maintenance of the footpaths along the main road through Fiteroy. It. was pointed out that while the County drew about i'lol) in rates ulong the road, the total revenue of the Board, which had over 8 miles of roads to maintain, was only £350. The Council decided to grant. £25. The matter of lighting, which was also mentioned, was held over until more information is available

This week Mr |R. Van Dclden, of the Arcadia Cigar Storo, is holding a big sale of New Year Gifts Prices are such that business is assured. To 1 every customer Mr Vah Dclden extends heartiest good wishes for the New Year, and includes all readers in extending here the compliments of the season. The reading room, writing room' and store are open from 7 a.m. till 10 p.m. to all who like a quiet read, smoke or chat. Call in some time this week at the Arcadia; there's a welcome for you —and the tobacco you like,—Advt,

MERIT REWARDED BY COUHT OF JUSTICB. The acknowledged good qualities and success of Sandek and Sous' Eucalypti Extract have brought out many imitations, and one case was just tiicd'in the Supreme Court of Victoria, -before his Honor Chief Justice Sir J. Maddea, K.C.M.G., etc. His honor, in giving judgment, said : that whenever an article is commended ti the public by reason of its good quality, etc., it is not permissive to imitate any of its features. Restraining the imitators perpetually from doing so, he ordered them fp pay all costs. We publish this to afford the people on opportunity of protecting themselves, and of securing what is proved beyond all doubt by skilled witnesses at the Supreme Court of Victoria, and by many authorities during the last 31 years to be " preparation of genuine merit, via.:— " Tub Genuine Sander & Sons' PURE VoLATILH EIK'.U.YI'TI Extract.